Ashbrook has clinched the Big South 2A/3A Conference wrestling championship with one match to go.

The Green Wave, which has secured its first wrestling conference title since 2011, hosts North Gaston on Tuesday for a chance to complete an undefeated run through the Big South regular season.

“We’ve been talking all year about winning a state championship. This is a stopping point along that road,” Ashbrook coach Jake Eccles said. “Starting the new conference the way it is (with realignment), it’s big to start out as conference champions and they’re pretty excited about it.”

Ashbrook improved to 5-0 in the Big South and clinched the title with Tuesday’s 38-33 win against East Gaston. Jesse Crook (106-pound weight class), O’devious Otis (120), Emani Burris (126), Zikees Pendergrass (152), Corey Armstrong (182), Derick Weber (195) and Luke Pauley (220) won their individual matches against East Gaston, handing the Warriors their first conference loss.

“Certainly it’s a big deal,” Eccles said. “The last time East Gaston was in our conference, they won it every year they were in the conference. Our conference wrestling is tough.”

North Gaston had won the past two Big South dual-team titles. Ashbrook finished second in the Big South last season before defeating a pair of No. 1 seeds in the 3A state playoffs to reach the third round. The Green Wave returned eight starters this season, leading to high expectations.

Ashbrook’s returning state qualifiers from last season, Parker Brandon and Weber, are among the top performers again this season as Brandon (138 pounds) carries a 32-4 record and Weber is 26-4. Blake Warren (170) and Burris have 32-6 records while Armstrong has also cracked the 30-win mark at 31-3.

Other regular wrestlers for Ashbrook in order of wins: Pendergrass is 29-4, Brian Le (113 pounds) is 29-10, Omari Batts (145) is 28-8, Otis is 26-11, Matt Lee (160) is 22-4, Crook is 20-12, Zachary Cooper (132) is 19-15, Luke Pauley is 15-9 and Justin Alexander (285) is 14-13.

After the conclusion of the dual-team regular season, the Big South will hold its individual wrestling tournament Feb. 1 at South Point. The dual-team state playoffs are Feb. 4-8, followed by the individual regionals Feb. 14-15 (North Gaston hosts the 3A West) and the individual state championships Feb. 20-22.